[Travel] Penang, The Vast Complex of Kek Lok Si Temple

Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple is one of the attraction when going to Penang, aside from George Town street art and Heritage core zone, Penang food, and other various attraction. Kek Lok Si is located up the hills of Ayer Itam, facing the sea.

The large complex of temple(s) was built starting 1890 to 1930, but from afar we can see they have some construction to extend the place. The building of the temple was sponsored by the rich Hakka Chinese of the time and continued receiving donation from Chinese patrons all over SEA.

Unfortunately I didn’t take photo of the very large statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy nor going up to see her in her 36.57 meters splendid glory.

Bare in mind, the temple is ‘touristy’ so many of the temples and building have a store or two with Buddhist paraphernalia.

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The seven storey Ban Po Thar pagoda

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The view of the city from several level up

The afternoon is running hot and we are kinda dehydrate and tired going between temples and visit several peranakan mansion haha. Honestly, we ended up just up to mid-level complex and see the three-tear pagoda and upper and lower temples. Maybe next time have more energy to explore the many layers of temples in Kek Lok Si.

Next post is to explore those peranakan mansion and see the beautiful Chinese tycoons live richly at the time. Off we go to see Pinang Peranakan Mansion or better known as the Green Mansion and Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion or Blue Mansion.

Penang Travel: